Electro valve mechanism



C. P. FREY.

ELECTRO VALVE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION man MAYa.192o.

153184543. n PatentedJuly 12,1921.

1g 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Bmw I' CQP. FREY.

ELECTRO VALVE MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED' MAys, 1920.

E 1,384,443. Patented July 12, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

15 means which-may be actuated at will to open Tits PATENT oFFics.

e canarias P. FBEY,` or `:einmiiasi.i'ma,

rE'NNsYLvANIA, Assignee. To BROWN """IN .s'rmmENfr co., or PmLannLPiiIA, PENNSYLVANIA., A CORIOBATIOE 0F- l riiNNsYLvANia.

specification of To all whom# may concer/n.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES P. FREY,

citizen vof 'the 'United States, and resident of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelpliia and State of Pennsylvania, -haveinf vented certain new and( useful Improvements? following is' a.' specification.

My present invention consists in an im-x proved vvalve mechanism comprising a valve member proper, `a lock adapted to engage the valve member and hold it in the open osition when the valve member` is \moved into vthe .open position, and' electromagnetic the valve if closed, and if open, to release the lockand permit Vthe valve to close. 'The general object of the invention is to rovidea simple and effective mechanism o the character specified having electromagnetic means adapted to be actuated by energizing currents of relatively small magnitude and,

therefore, suitable for use as a fuel control valve in a heating or furnacev system in 25 which the valve is 'automatically openedand closed as required to maintain predeter# ruined temperature conditions by an electrical pyrometer or analogous ltemperature indicator of avsensitive and' delicate char- V acter.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of lthis specification.'

Letters Patent.

Application iiie. Amay s. 1920. serial No. 379,709.

tnc'mdvanvn Memisa. l

Patented July 12, 1921.

"the lconstruction shown in Fig. 1, A'represents a valve body'of conventional form provided with inlet and outlet chambers A and (A2 respectively. A3 is a valve seated port connec-tn these chambers. Flow through the port 3 is controlled by a valve member E, the actuating mechanism for which is located within a chamber formed by a tubular casing part B connected to the valve body A and in open communication with the inlet chamber Af, `and a second casing part C which is detachabl connected at one end 'to thecasing part as by means of screws D and. is closed at its opposite end.

The stem E of the valve E projects into the parts' B and e of soft iron chamber formed by the casirig G land carries an armature which may bey laminated, and above the' latter a collar E?. The armature F projects into the end of a solenoid coil H. `A second solenoidI `coaxial .with the coil H is lgcated at the end of .thelatt'er remote from Athe valve seat A3. As shownfthe two coils H rand I are each in the form of a hollow cylinder and are lprovided with insulatingheads respectively. In practice the coils I-I an I will ordinarily be combinedv ina sin le mechanicalstructure, and as: shown t is structure .is anchored in place by clamping the outeredge of the lower head ofthe coil H, between an annular seat B2. formed in the inner wall of the casing art B and the end of a cylindrical flange provided for the purpose on the casing part C. Mounted 35 For abetter understanding of the invention,

. however, and" the advantages possessed by itireference maybe lad to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter \1n which I have illustrated-and described prel 4o ferred embodiments of the invention. J and througliears formed on an annular me- Of the drawings ff 4 tallic member.` M, clamped between the elec- Fi f e 1t is a sectionalelevation of one tromagnetheads-Hz and I. form of valveJ mechanism; Y As shown the "latch members'L are'of ap- JFig. 2 is as'imilarly taken view' of a por` proximately the same length as the coil I '45 tion ofthe apparatus with .the part shown and in the closed position of thevalve mem-y in different relativepositions; ber E, the collar E2 1is between the latch Fig. 3 isa viewtaken similarly to Fig; 2 members and holds their free ends apart'. When the valve member E isin its open po]- within the coil I are latches L ofsoft iron', each pivotallysupported at its end adjaf, 9'0 cent the valve seat,the pivotal suport'being formed, aeshown, by pivot pins p assin through t` ends of the latch mem 'ers' l' showing a slightly modiliedconstruction;

Fig. 4 is a plan vieweof the valve locking 50 mechanism employed in Fig. 3; and g of the latches L and `the latter are freeto `sition the collar E2 is beyond the free ends l Y Figs. 5,6 and 7 'are-views taken similarly swing in against the-valve stem E as shown v105 rto'Fig. 2, 'each illustrating ai dilferentmodi- 1nl Fig.. 2.i I f Imation.V Y The valve member `E must be. loaded, as 1 In the drawings,-l and` referring first A by a. spring or the action of gravity, so that it will move automatically from its open to its closed position when free to do so. In the particular form of4 valve mechanism shown, the valve stem E is vertically dis- 5 posed with the valve E at its lower end, and tends to move under its own weight from its open to its closed position. Advantageously the weight of the valve and the pressure acting on the upper side of the valve is partially, but not entirely counterbalanced by a spring G, which-surrounds the valve stem E, and is interposed between the lower end of the armature F and a spider ortion B Aof the valve casing. part B. llVith this arrangement, when the coil H is energized the armature F is sucked up into the coil, thus lifting the valve E out of its seat. The energization of the coil H carries the collar E2 secured to the upper end of the valve stem above the upper ends of the latch members L. The latter, in the 'orm shown in Figs. l and 2, are so mounted that when the collar E is moved above their upgper ends they are moved by gravityfrom the position occupied by them in Fig. l, into the position shown in Fig. 2. When the magnet li'I is subsequently denergized, the upper ends of the latches L engage the under side of the collar B2 and thus lock the valve in its open position. When, thereafter, 1t

is desired to close the valve, the coil I is energized. This similarly magnetizes the latches L, and their free ends being of the same polarity, repel one another, thereby spreading the latches L apart. This releases the collar F2 and thereby permits the valve E yto close.

It is obvious, of course, lthat instead lof having but two latches L, as shown in Fig. l, lwithree or more latches may be employedas is shown in the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4 wherein there are three latch members LA symmetrically disposed about the valve stem E. Instead of relying upon gravity action to move the latch members toward the valve stem other means may be employed. F orexample, a spring belt O" may beplaced about the latch members which may be notched at L2 to receive the belt O', as shown in Figs. Band 4f. T

It is possible also to employ but a single movable latch member. or example, as shown iniFig. 5, a singlevpivoted latch member L isassociated with a stationary soft iron bar LB longitudinally disposed in the .coil I at the opposite side of the valve stem E from the latch L.r As shown the bar LB extends into close proximity to the stem E except at its upper portion Where it is cut away at L10 to clear the collar E2. A single latch member L may beemployed also, as shown in Figst, wherethe upper portion of thevalve stem itself is made of suitable magnetic material. f In Fig. 6, the major i portion vof the valve stem may advanta` geously be made of brass, but the portion El located within the coil Iis formed of soft iron, as is the collar like portion E20 at its upper end. When the coil I of either construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is energized, the corresponding latch L and the part LB or E10 are similarly magnetized and repel one another, and thus cause the latch L to move out from under the collar E2 or E2". `These forms possess in common 75" with those illustrated in Figs.'f 1 4, the advantage of a simple construction which may be' positively actuated by an electrical energizing current of relativelysmall magnitude.

By arranging the'valve actuating mechanism in a chamber at all timesin free communication with one of the two valve chambers A- and A, as shown in Fig. l, I avoid the necessity of a'ny stuing box to prevent leakage along the valve stem and avoid the frictional resistance to the opening and closing movements of the valve o'ered by such a stutling box. y l

Advantageously, as shown, the two coils I-I and I have onecommon terminal lead O, and this lead together with the second lead P of the coil H, and the second 'lead Q of the coil I pass through insulated and Huid tight apertures inthe body of the casing part B into a condulet extension B3y thereof 'having airemova'ble cover b, as shown, and

in which these leads may, at the time the valve is installed, be soldered or otherwise properly connected to the controlling circuit y l conductors extending through the outer end wall of the chamber B3.l The insulation on the windings of the coils .II andy I, and on the leads should be of lsuitable character4 to withstand the actibn of the {iuid passing through the valve. v

The armature F is preferably so arranged,

as shown, as to insure an effective lifting action when the"l coil IIl is energized. Ar ranged as shown, but a momentary energizav tion of' the coil Hl is required to open the 110 valve, but a prolonged energization or successive energizations of the coil do not inter fere with the maintenance of the valve in its open position until vthe releasing coil I is energized. The coil I niay be ener ized by 115 direct or alternating current since t e effect.

of either is to spread the latches L apart. The tapering of the latches shown is desirable since with the larger lower ends ja better magnetic action is had and the lower ends can extend close to the valve stem without interfering with the/ movements of the latter. In-the modification .illustrated in Fig. 7 the `coils H and I are connected by a ltube R axially disposed; in the coilsand serving asa tie between a. base support K2 Y into which the lowerend of the tube R is threaded, and a washer Teengagingthe u`per end of the coil I and clamped cin place l y acap member V threaded on the upper 35 disposed in said coil and tending to move 'end of the t/ube R. The washer T may advantageously be made of insulating material while the supportK is advantageously a disk of non magnetic metal secured at its 5 peri hery to the valve body. The latches L in ig. 7 are pivoted between ears carried by an annular member MA secured in the tube R. With the arrangement shown in Fig. 7, thevalve stein E and arts carried 10 by it, work loosely in thetubel and stuffing box friction'is avoided as in the construction iirst described, while. the coils H and I are protected from contact with the' fluid flowin through the valve.

it will be obvious, of course, that the electromagnetic mechanism disclosed herein may be employed in valve mechanisms otherwise differing greatl inform and intended use from that'speci cally disclosed herein, and I do not wish the claims hereinafter made to be restricted to thev particular form of apparatus disclosed more'than is made necessary by their terms and the prior state of the art. rf

aving now described my` invention what I claim as new, andv desire\t o secure by Letters Patent, is: f

1. A valve mechanism comprising inv coml binatilon a reciprocating valve member hav# ing a valvelclosing tendency, means for moving said valve member into its open position, an electromagnet coil, means tendingto retain the valve member in its open position comprising a pair' of relatively movable parts of magneticl material longitudinally into-position in which the, hold the valve open whenv said coilV is' energized, and adapted to be separated by magnetic repul- 5 sion when .said secondcoil is energized, `and said parts are thereby similarly magnetized.

2. A valve mechanism comprising in com- Qbination a reciprocating valve member carrying an armature and having a valve closing tendency, an electromagnet coil 'adapted when energized to exert a pull on said armature-and thereby'open the valve, a second' .electromagnet coil, and means tendin to retain the valve member in its o en position comprising a pair 'of relative y .movable parts `of lmagnetic material longitudinally ,disposed insaid second coil and tending to mcve into position in which they hold the valve open when `said secondcoil^is denergized, and adapted togbe separated by magneticrepulsion when said second coil is energized and'said parts are thereby-similarly magnetized. r

3. In al valvel inechanismfthe combination4 with'a reciprocating valve member, of locki-ng mechanism thereforcomprising .a hollow electromagnet S`coil and I relatively movable `clocking lparts of ma netic material lon itudinally disposed wit in said coil and a apt-4 65 ed to move toward 'one anotherwhenthe- '.bination la reciprocating valve member 'havenergized and said parts are thereby simi-l coil is notenergized, but being separated from one another by. magnetic repulsion when the coil is energized and said parts are thereby magnetized. y 'i 4. 1n a valve mechanism, the combination 70 with a reciprocating valve element, of an electromagnetic coil surrounding said ele- `mentflatch members of magnetic material longitudinally disposed within said coil ands n.

tending t'o move toward one another into 15 l engagement with said member. when said coil is not energized and-bein -inagnetized and separated "from one anot er by mag-v netic repulsion when the coilis energized.

5. Al valve mechanism comprising in coming a valve closing tendency and provided with la valve stem, a pair of electromagnet coils placed endto end and surrounding said .valve stem, an armature carried by saidv valve steirL in coperative relationwith one of said coils whereby, when the latter is energized, the 'valve .member will be moved into an open position, means for releasably latching the valve member in its open position comprising relatively movable members of magnetic Vmaterial longitudinally disosed in the other coil and adapted to move into position in which l'the valve member is held in `its open position when saidsecond icoilis denergized but being separated fromone another by magneticrepulsion to permit the valve to close when' said second coil is d larly magnetized. 6.1 A valve mechanism Icomprising in cbmbination a reciprocatin valve member having valve closing ten ency and provided with a 'valve stemyapair of electromagnet coilsplace'd end to end .and surrounding said 105 valve stem, an armature carried by said valve stem in coperative relation with one of said coils whereby, when the latter is energized, the valve member will be moved into anr open position,. latch members of' 110 magneticmateriall 'longitudinally disposed in the fother coil and adapted to` move integr position, in which they engage said stem and hold the valve member in its open position i when' said second coil is deneigized but. be- 115 ing separated from one another by magnetic repulsion to rmit said valve member to close when said lsecond coil is energizedand where y, 'whenthe .latter is energized, the i' valve member will be'moved -intoan open position, means for releasably latcliing the T n valvemember in itsopen' position compris- 130 ing a latch member located Within said second coil and tending to move into the position in which it engages the valve stem and holds the valve open when said second coil is denerg'ized, but moved by the energization of said second coil int position to permit the valve member to close.

8. An electromagnetic valve mechanism comprising in combination a valvev casing having inlet and outlet chambers connected by a valve seated port and a reciprocating valve member controllin and tending to close said port and provided with a. valve stem, a pair of electromagnet coils placed end to end and surrounding but not filled bysaidfvalve stem, an armature carried by sald stem 1n coperative relation Wlth 'one l of saidcoils whereby, When the latter is energized, the valve member Will be moved into an open position, means 'for releasably latching the valve member in its open posi- CHARLES P. FREY.

parts 

